Report: 60-Story Highrise Could Be Coming To Former Hudson's Site

DETROIT (CBS Detroit) -- The long-vacant site of the old Hudson's department store building in downtown Detroit may finally be redeveloped -- in a big way.

A brand new building as tall as 60-stories could occupy the site -- which is owned by billionaire and Michigan native Dan Gilbert -- in the near future, according to a report by Crain's Detroit Business.

"It's possible that building, which would sit on the vacant 2-acre site on Woodward, could come in at 60 stories, sources are telling me.

At that height, it would dwarf virtually everything surrounding it, including the nearby David Stott Building, which is 38 stories in Capitol Park at 1150 Griswold St."

The site was bought in 2013 by Gilbert's Rock Ventures group, which owns nearly 100 properties in the downtown area now. The Hudson's building -- which began construction in 1911 -- was a part of the Detroit skyline for more than 80 years before it was demolished in 1998.

In 2015, Rock Ventures released early renders of what the proposed highrise would look like. The rendering shows a multi-story building on Woodward, near Gratiot, that features a unique glass exterior with wave-like rooflines.

"While we are excited about the direction of this concept, it is important to note that the design of the beloved Hudson's site on Woodward Avenue in the heart of downtown Detroit is still evolving," Gilbert said in a statement after the renders were revealed.

A 60-story building would be the second tallest in the city, behind the 73-floor Renaissance Center.

"We are more than excited and feel fortunate that we have the opportunity to redevelop one of the key landmark locations in downtown Detroit," Gilbert said.